Washington, D.C. – December 6, 2011 – In recent years, there has been a definitive shift away from large residential subdivisions towards smaller scale infill development projects with a greater emphasis on affordability, access to public transportation, commercial opportunities and job centers. Amid continued concerns about over housing affordability, home styles have become simpler with low maintenance, durable building materials.
Residential architecture firms continue to report weak business conditions, with remodeling activity one of the few bright lights for residential design activity. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2011 that focused on community and neighborhood design.
“On the development side, low levels of new home construction, steep foreclosure rates and a surge in the popularity of urban living are the primary reasons for high levels of infill projects,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “From a home design perspective the preference is for building materials such as fiber-cement, stone, tile or natural earth plasters that are durable and require little maintenance.”
AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights
| Community design elements | 2011 | 2010 |
| Infill development | 65% | 65% |
| Access to public transportation | 47% | 58% |
| Multi-generational housing | 44% | 53% |
| Higher density development | 38% | 39% |
| Traditional neighborhood design | 47% | 41% |
| Mixed-use developments | 37% | 53% |
| Access to commercial facilities | 36% | 37% |
| Popular Home Exteriors Features | 2011 | 2010 |
| Durable exterior materials | 68% | 75% |
| Front porches | 40% | 57% |
| Simple exterior details | 28% | 16% |
| Single story home | 24% | 26% |
| Sustainable roofing | 23% | 52% |
| Solar reflective roofs | 21% | 39% |
| Tubular skylights | 15% | 30% |
| Contemporary design | 10% | 11% |
(% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)
Housing market business conditions
The residential market continues to struggle. The national home design billings index was 45 for the third quarter of 2011 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in activity), down from the previous quarter’s mark of 50, although scores are not adjusted for seasonal variation. Inquiries for new projects were 52, dropping slightly compared to the score of 54 in the second quarter of the year.
| Specific construction segments | 2011 | 2010 |
| Kitchen and bath remodeling | 37% | 43% |
| Additions / alterations | 35% | 42% |
| First-time buyer / affordable home market | -37% | -35% |
| Move-up home market | -36% | -34% |
| Townhouse / condo market | -35% | -39% |
| Custom / luxury home market | -27% | -43% |
| Second / vacation home | -61% | -65% |
(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q3)
Wondering about the hot paint colors for next year? Wonder no more: The 2012 paint palette will draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape, according to Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.
“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors that will be ‘in’ next year,” says Zimmer. “If you’re thinking about repainting your home interior, look to the great American outdoors.”
Here are some highlights:
Blue, the Jewel of the Sea
Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to be red hot in 2012. “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved – in one iteration or another — by almost everyone,” says Zimmer.
Green, From Farm to Forest
Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within. According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.
Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains
“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” says Zimmer.
But natural hues aren’t the only news for 2012. Zimmer predicts that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year:
Patterns
In 2012, patterned paint will take center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs, and bold color blocking techniques. “In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” says Zimmer.
Black and White
The classic combination of black and white isn’t just for Cape Cods any more. You’ll see much more of it in all sorts of settings, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, says Zimmer. “The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish,” she says.
Exterior Paint Combinations
On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red, or black to a more monochromatic palette. “You’ll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding,” says Zimmer. “Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone.”
Despite all the new colors and trends, Zimmer says some things in the paint world will remain the same in 2012: “Top quality 100% acrylic latex paint will continue to provide the best performance and the best value to budget-conscious homeowners,” she says.
Source: Paint Quality Institute
Washington, D.C. – September 13, 2011 – Homeowner interest in specialty rooms, systems utilizing emerging technologies and upscale products is waning as the residential market continues to struggle. Instead, investments within the home have focused on increasing energy efficiency, fostering outdoor living environments and adding wireless communications systems as home offices remain popular. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Home Design Trends Surveyfor the second quarter of 2011 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.
“The majority of special function rooms have seen a noticeable drop in demand in the past year, which makes sense given the state of both the overall economy and the housing market in particular,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Rather, homeowners are showing a continued preference to save money on utility costs and improve the resale value of their home through investing in energy efficient upgrades.”
Baker added, “Despite the weak housing market, design elements that promote accessibility within the home remain strong led by master bedroom suites located on the first floor and even more expensive features like ramps leading into the home and elevators.”
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q2 2011 (any score above 50 is positive)
- Billings: 50
- Inquiries for new projects: 54
Baker noted, “There are signs of stabilization of business conditions for residential architects, although it would be premature to say that the market is entering a recovery phase. Demand for remodeling and renovations is in relatively good shape, but all major new construction categories continue to drag, which is keeping the overall housing market back.”
Washington, D.C. – June 29, 2011 – The collapse of the housing market resulted in greater interest in smaller homes and lot sizes, but that appears to be leveling off. There continues to be interest from homeowners in investing in their properties, particularly with regards to outdoor living space. Accessibility within the home remains a concern, especially for an aging population, along with ongoing demand for more flexible and open design within homes. Business conditions for residential architects are showing improving conditions with the highest billings score since mid-2007. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Home Design Trends Surveythat focused specifically on overall home layout and use in the first quarter of 2011.
“Overall home and lots sizes showing signs of increasing slightly indicates that the housing market is stabilizing after being in a downward spiral since 2007,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “But consistent with the last several years, there remains a preference for open space layout allowing for more flexibility and less interest in formal spaces and rooms.”
Overall home layout and size trends
| Residential elements (% of respondents that reported decreases) | 2011 | 2010 |
| Square footage | 52% | 57% |
| Lot size | 22% | 32% |
| Volume | 18% | 21% |
| Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) | 2011 | 2010 |
| In-home accessibility | 58% | 60% |
| Open space layout | 49% | 56% |
| Access into / out of home | 48% | 49% |
| Informal space | 40% | 48% |
| Single-floor plan | 35% | 40% |
| Lot size | 22% | 32% |
Outdoor living and landscaping trends
| Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) | 2011 | 2010 |
| Low irrigation landscaping | 63% | 63% |
| Outdoor living space | 60% | 56% |
| Rainwater catchment | 49% | 55% |
| Blended indoor / outdoor living | 46% | 48% |
| Exterior / security lighting | 30% | 33% |
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2011 (any score above 50 is positive)
- Billings: 51
- Inquiries for new projects: 60
Baker continued, “The home improvement market, including both additions and structural alterations as well as remodeling projects, is extremely healthy right now and with the exception of the affordable home market, all of the other sectors are more positive than the same time a year ago.”
Specific residential segments(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % reporting weakening conditions)
- Kitchen and bath remodeling: 52
- Additions / alterations: 51
- First-time buyer / affordable home market: -22
- Move-up home market: -16
- Custom / luxury home market: -19
- Townhouse / condo market: -34
- Second / vacation home market: -51
Washington, D.C – March 24, 2011 – Economic pressures and the overall decline in home values resulted in the more modest design of kitchens and bathrooms in recent years. That trend appears to be changing towards homeowner preference for larger, and in some cases additional, kitchens and bathrooms. Households continue to desire products and features that promote energy efficiency and adaptability in the use of space for seniors and those with accessibility concerns.
Washington, D.C. – December 7, 2010 – Over the last several years there has been increasing demand for housing options within close proximity to public transit, employment centers, retail and entertainment options, and access to open space for recreation. Houses with porches that allow for more neighborhood connection, durable and low-maintenance products for home exteriors, sustainable features and solar reflective roofs also remain popular. The housing and economic downturn, along with the growing number of immigrant households, has led to a rise demand for multi-generational housing.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (February 8, 2011) – More than 100 designers who are members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), and have designed kitchens or bathrooms during the last three months of 2010, participated in an NKBA survey to reveal design trends in the marketplace for 2011. The results of this survey suggest there will be some changes in the direction that kitchen and bath styles will take this year. Below are 7 kitchen trends and 4 bathroom trends that are poised to take hold in 2011. These are overall trends across the United States and Canada; they won’t necessarily appear in all geographic areas.
Kitchens
1) Shake It Up 
The Shaker style began a rise in popularity in 2009 and gained momentum in 2010. By the end of the year, Shaker has supplanted Contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers. While Traditional remains the most popular style, having been used by 76% of designers surveyed over that last three months of 2010, that’s a slight drop from the previous year. Meanwhile, the percent of respondents who designed contemporary kitchens fell to 48%, while Shaker rose to 55%. Cottage was the only other style to garner at least 20% of the market, as it registered at 21%.
Washington, D.C. – September 15, 2010 – The troubled housing market has homeowners concerned about affordability with an increasing preference for functionality over extravagance in special function rooms and home features. There also continues to be a strong willingness to invest in energy efficient products and systems to help reduce utility costs. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2010 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.
“As the overall economy has slowed in recent years home offices have become the new home theaters,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Homeowners are placing a far greater priority on specialty rooms that get the most use, as well as incorporating outdoor living elements within their lifestyles.”
Washington, D.C. – June 21, 2010 – The prolonged economic downturn in the housing market, coupled with growing concerns about rising utility costs has resulted in greater interest in smaller homes and lot sizes. There have also been some broader lifestyle changes with U.S. households eschewing upscale amenities, opting instead to invest in more low maintenance projects, particularly for property improvements. Accessibility within the home continues to be a concern, especially for an aging population, and there is an increasing demand for more flexible design and informal space within homes. Business conditions for residential architects are beginning to indicate improving conditions with the first quarterly increase in billings since mid-2007. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey that focused specifically on overall home layout and use in the first quarter of 2010.
The most popular new designs of 2010 from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – The National Kitchen & Bath Association announces the top 10 design trends from the 2010 NKBA Design Competition. The winners of the competition were announced on April 16 at the NKBA’s 2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago.
1. Concealed Kitchens
Kitchen design has reached a new level of integration. The quiet incorporation of the kitchen into the home’s primary living and entertaining rooms provides homeowners with far more flexibility in their lifestyles. The incorporation of integrated and concealed appliances allows the kitchen to enhance rather than intrude into other spaces. Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the surrounding rooms.